NASCAR Issues Penalties To Joe Gibbs Racing

During post-race inspection following the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota was found to be too low[1] in the left front.

On Tuesday, the team was penalized 25 owner’s points and 25 driver’s points. In addition, crew chief Steve Addington was fined $25,000 and put on probation until the end of the calendar year.

The team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8 1B (the height of the car at the left front fender did not meet the required specification; too low in post-race inspection) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.

JGR released a statement about the penality, saying:

The situation was caused when the left front spring became dislodged. This resulted in the left front corner of the car to be lower and resulted in a change to the car’s handling which had to be compensated for during the race. Consequently, the car measured low during post-race inspection. We accept NASCAR’s ruling on the issue today.

The points deduction doesn’t drop Busch from his 13th-place position in the Sprint Cup standings, but he now holds a 66-point lead over 14th place, Matt Kenseth.